Tejanas and the Mexican-American Experience in Media

This digital project reflects the research paper written for Dr. Lillia Rosas' Tejana Cultural Studies course at the University of Texas at Austin

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

Gonzalez, Gabriela. Redeeming La Raza: Transborder Modernity, Race, Respectability, and Rights. New York: Oxford University Press, 2018.

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

Emma Tenayuca

Emma Tenayuca in Bexar County Jail, June 29, 1937. Courtesy of UTSA Special Collections.

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

La Cronica, was a Spanish-language newspaper that circulated in Laredo, Texas, during the 1890s. Covering the social and economic conditions Mexicans faced, they also labored towards spotlighting racial exploitation and political issues at the time. This included commentary on the development of the civil rights of Hispanics and support for the Mexican Revolution in Mexico. The newspaper included editorials and poetry in regards to anti-Mexican discrimination, lynching, and bigotry.

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

"Its the women who have led. I just have a feeling, a very strong feeling, that if ever this world is civilized, it would be more the work of women."-Emma Tenayuca

www.ccfwg.org

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

TED Talk

Maria Hinoja speaking at the TEDxPennyslvaniaAvenue event, on June 24, 2015, held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

Mexican-American journalist, Maria Hinojosa, describes her personal narrative of becoming a journalist. Through her untold beliefs, Hinojosa takes the audience into her story, and how it is that her experiences of being a Mexican-American shaped her strive in media.

Speaking on the power of inclusivity and diversity within media, she emphasizes the value of highlighting underrepresented narratives and individuals. Her goal, to provide America with a new all inclusive democratic platform that aims to address the existing and problematic realities we face in today's current age. That is, seeking to empower those that fall short of often not having voices.

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

Carolina Malpica Munguia

Photograph derived from original 1954 image of Carolina and Jose Rumulo Munguia. Courtsey of George Cisneros to Museo Del Westside.

Like other Tejanas, Carolina Munguia can be traced to have a sense of collective activism and social justice. In her fight to combat the threat of Americanization, she became the first host of a Spanish program titled, "La Hora Estrella". Within this broadcasting radio, Munguia was able to examine Mexican history and culture, featuring a selection of Mexican literature, music, and the lifestyle of individuals.

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

Photograph by Eric Gay, The Nation. (6.28.2018)

Image of protestors during a moment of prayer for Rally for Our Children event. Holding #familiesbelongtogether signs, protestors rally to stand against new "zero-tolerance" immigration policy that has led to the separation of families on the US-MX border.

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

"I hope I am following in Harriet Tubman's footsteps, because she had the capacity to dream of liberation. Not all of us allow ourselves to fulfill our dreams of freedom. Maybe you dream of being free from a job, a relationship, a city...But acting on freedom can be the scariest thing we do. To believe we are so radically free that we can dream the craziest, wildest dreams for ourselves and then work nonstop to make them come true, no matter the odds. No matter the borders we have to cross. No matter how many glass ceilings we have to crash through. This struggle, the restless determination, the feeling of urgency that comes with working to make things better-it never really goes away" -Maria Hinojosa, Once I Was You: A Memoir

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

Leonor Villegas de Mangon (left) and Jovita Idar (right) treating a man after he was injured in the battle of Northern Laredo during the Mexican Revolution, March 17, 1913. General Photograph Collection, UTSA Special Collections.

Recognized as a Mexican-American journalist, activist, teacher and suffragist Jovita Idar can be noted to have contributed a great majority of her life towards civil rights activism. Throughout which she used her voice to encourage other women to become politically active within the American system. Founding the League of Mexican women, which was the first known Latina feminist organization, Idar worked to push for the education of Tejano children. Stating that she wanted their work to "contribute to the formation of character and the cultivation of the minds of future generations". Following this, after the Mexican Revolution began in 1910, she would join a nursing unit and help save men all in the name of bringing democracy to Mexico.

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

Maria Hinojosa

Photographed by Kevin Abosch. Published October 9, 2020 at 7:38 PM CDT via Texas Public Radio.

Maria Hinojosa is among one of the first Latina journalist at NPR and CNN broadcasting newtwork. In addition, she is the anchor and executive producerr for Latino USA, and founder/CEO of Futuro Media.

In an interview with Raul. A. Reyes, she lays out all about her new memoir "Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America". Within it, she states that many individuals contacted and reached out to her via social media to tell her how they relate and resonate to her story, to which she mentioned it "meant a lot to me". Born in Mexico City, when Hinojosa was young she emigrated to the US with her family in 1962 and grew up in Chicago. Early in her career, she experienced many discrepancies, such as how identifying as Latina and Mexican-American shaped her perspective on media platforms. As a result, and later on into her career, she started believing in herself, stating "I had to stop fighting against everyone and every institution. I had to change the way I was fighting". Moreso, the title of the book derives from her experience and conversation with a young girl being transported in McCallen, Texas at the height of Trump's family separation policy. Where in having a final word with the young girl she said "I see you-because once I was you".

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

Image derived from theatre production "No es Justo!", set to bring to life the story of Emma Tenayuca. Honoring her work and leadership as an activist, labor leader, educator, and Chicana Hero. 6000 N. New Branfels Ave, San Antonio, Tx, 78209 January 24, 2019

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

Jovita Idar (right) and other employees in the print shop of El Progreso Newspaper, 1914. General Photograph Collection, UTSA Special Collections.

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

Emma Tenayuca standing outside of San Antonio City Hall, March 8, 1937. UTSA Special Collections.

[tejanaculturalstudiesrocio]

Emma Tenayuca

Emma Tenayuca in Bexar County Jail. June 29th, 1937. UTSA Special Collections.

Making the forefront of labor activism, Emma would become known as one of the most prominent and important Latinas in labor organizers of the 20th century. Largely inspired by her grandfather, Emma took a strong interest in social justice. Specifically, she recalls the important role La Plaza de Zacate held for Latino and Mexican Americans residing in San Antonio. Stating that it was "the center of activity", where Magonistas and "exiles from the Mexican Revolution" would speak to crowds, Mexicans would gather, and they would be informed of the latest political news. Moreso, while she began working with the International Ladies Garment Worker Untion (ILBWU), her most distinguished worked can be recognized within the year of 1938. During this time, she organized and led on the largest strikes in San Antonio history, which today is recognized as the Pecal Shellers Strike.